THE story of one of Liverpool’s most venerable shipping lines will be preserved in an online archive if a Heritage Lottery Fund bid is successful.

Elder Dempster Lines (EDL), based in India Buildings, was the largest UK shipping line trading between western Europe and West Africa until 1989. The company was finally wound up in 2000.

The online archive of one of the key elements in the city’s maritime history would be made up mainly of the recollections of EDL’s former employees.

By collecting oral histories for the first time, in both audio and video formats, the project aims to create an online resource of the memories and experiences of former EDL staff.

It will also provide a unique resource of maritime, local, economic, business and social history and heritage allowing everyone from schoolchildren to retired seafarers to discover how the heritage of Liverpool and West Africa was shaped by Elder Dempster Lines.

The Centre for Port & Maritime History, a partnership between Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), the University of Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum, are putting together the Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

The project is being carried out with the full co-operation of the Elder Dempster Pensioners’ Association (also known as the “Elders of Elders”) and the Liverpool Nautical Research Society, a number of whose membership also worked for EDL.

Dr Nick White, LJMU reader in Imperial and Commonwealth History, said: “The project will combine original archival material and memorabilia making these freely available in an online digital format to a public audience for the first time.

“We aim to significantly enhance knowledge and understanding of the interlinked maritime, commercial, and social heritage of Liverpool and West Africa.

“We are looking for memoirs from ex-employees of this leading British and indeed international shipping line. We will then publicise this widely with workshops in schools, open days and community events.

“Please let us know, therefore, of any links that you might have with EDL and if you would like to share your memories. We are also looking for volunteers to help with the collecting of material and the conducting of interviews.”

Mike Ingham, a former purser with Elder Dempster Lines, believes that the archive would probably be the only one of its kind in the UK.

He said: “We were one of the largest shipping companies based in Liverpool and played a major role in the economy of West Africa. The archive will be a way of sharing our stories and memories with the people of Liverpool and beyond.”

Further information and offers of support contact: Dr Nick White, School of Humanities & Social Science, Liverpool John Moores University, 68 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BZ or email n.j.white@ljmu.ac.uk